South Carolina General Assembly
112th Session, 1997-1998
Journal of the Senate

Thursday, January 22, 1998
(Statewide Session)

Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 10:45 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.
A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:

Beloved, as we share our sympathy with our brother, Senator Ralph Anderson, in the passing from this life of his mother, Annie Mae, hear the words of Job (19:25-26):
"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God."
Let us pray.
Our Father, we give thanks for the life and labors of your servant, Annie Mae Anderson, and especially for the distinguished service of her son, Ralph.
May her family be sustained by the faith that our Savior has taken away the sting of death.
Grant to us, your servants, so to follow in faith where You have led the way, that we may, after a life of faithful service, fall asleep peacefully in you and wake in your likeness; to you, the author and giver of life, be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.

Point of Quorum

Senator LEATHERMAN made the point that a quorum was not present. It was ascertained that a quorum was not present.

RECESS

At 10:50 A.M., on motion of Senator LEATHERMAN, the Senate receded from business subject to the Call of the Chair.
At 10:53 A.M., a quorum being present, the Senate resumed.

Committee to Escort

The PRESIDENT appointed Senators PATTERSON, WILSON, HAYES, FAIR, RYBERG and RAVENEL to escort the Honorable Newt Gingrich, and members of his party for the purpose of attending the Joint Assembly.

Leave of Absence

On motion of Senator HOLLAND, at 10:54 A.M., Senator SALEEBY was granted a leave of absence for today.

Motion Adopted

On motion of Senator HOLLAND, with unanimous consent, the Senate agreed that upon conclusion of the Joint Assembly, the Senate would stand adjourned to meet on Friday, January 23, 1998, at 11:00 A.M., under the provisions of Rule 1 for the purpose of taking up local and uncontested matters which have previously received unanimous consent to be taken up; and, when the Senate stands adjourned on Friday, January 23, 1998, that it stand adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday, January 27, 1998, at 12:00 Noon.

THIRD READING BILL

The following Bill was read the third time and ordered sent to the House of Representatives:

S. 924 -- Senators Matthews and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 526 OF 1996, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH MUST BE MET BEFORE SCHOOLS MAY BE CLOSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT.
(On motion of Senator HUTTO)

RECESS

At 10:55 A.M., on motion of Senator LEATHERMAN, the Senate receded from business for the purpose of attending the Joint Assembly.

JOINT ASSEMBLY
Address by the Honorable Newt Gingrich
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

At 11:00 A.M., the Senate appeared in the Hall of the House.
The PRESIDENT of the Senate called the Joint Assembly to order and announced that it had convened under the terms of a Concurrent Resolution adopted by both Houses.H. 4391 -- Reps. Wilkins, Haskins, Harrison, H. Brown, Cato, Sharpe, Townsend, J. Brown and D. Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO INVITE THE HONORABLE NEWT GINGRICH, CONGRESSMAN FROM GEORGIA AND SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION AT 11:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998.

The Honorable Newt Gingrich and members of his party were escorted to the rostrum by Senators PATTERSON, WILSON, HAYES, FAIR and RYBERG and Representatives Haskins, Young-Brickell, Koon, Neal, Sandifer and Littlejohn.
The PRESIDENT of the Senate introduced the Honorable David Wilkins, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who introduced the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Congressman from Georgia and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Mr. Gingrich addressed the Joint Assembly.

The purpose of the Joint Assembly having been accomplished, the PRESIDENT declared it adjourned, whereupon the Senate returned to its Chamber and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.
At 11:50 A.M., the Senate reconvened.

MOTION ADOPTED

On motion of Senator PEELER, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mr. J. Arthur Bridges, Jr. of Gaffney, S.C.

Time Fixed

Senator HOLLAND moved that, when the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 23, 1998, it stand adjourned to meet next Tuesday, January 27, 1998, at 12:00 Noon, which motion was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

At 11:53 A.M., on motion of Senator HOLLAND, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.